1st Installment of: “HIDDEN GEMS” Bringing the light to the beautiful attractions in and around Cowlitz County, complete with photography contest each month! Great prizes!

It’s Huge, It’s Awesome, and It’s STILL OPEN!

For the very first installment of “Hidden Gems”, we’re going to focus on one of the world’s marvels: Mt. St. Helens, only a short drive from the Longview/Kelso area.

Each month we will highlight a new “Hidden Gem”, of which we will accept photos of the feature location for the photography contest! See the end of each Hidden Gem article for guidelines and instruction on submitting your photos for the contest.

Complete with great prizes for the top two winners, this section is guaranteed to become one of your favorites! Cut out each month to assemble a great scrapbook collection of the “Hidden Gems” of our area, and be the distinguished Tour Guide when loved ones are visiting - simply by pulling out your scrapbook or saved articles!

And so begins our journey into the Hidden Gems of Southwest Washington, with the central jumping off point as the Longview/Kelso area.

Now, let’s visit Mt. St. Helens!

Cowlitz County offers two popular routes to access the multitude of recreational opportunities in the Monument. State Route 504, the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, follows the 51 mile northern corridor along the Toutle River Valley beginning at I-5, (Exit 49) and terminating at the Johnston Ridge Observatory. This northern route affords visitors breathtaking views of the mountain, world class visitors centers and access to a host of attractions including the Creation Museum, a free non-profit visitors center that features the 7 Wonders of Mount St. Helens. Here, visitors can schedule a guided tour or hike through volcanic changed landscapes and learn up-to-date scientific evidence for creation and a young earth.

The Memorial Grove at Hoffstadt Bluffs Visitor Center offers contemplative views of the Toutle River Valley mudflows and a peaceful hiatus to reflect on the momentous events of the May 18th, 1980 eruption.
Take some time to honor those individuals who perished during the eruption of Mount St. Helens with a peaceful walk through this memorial planting.

Elk Rock at milepost 37 marks the northernmost entry into the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. From this vantage point, the eruption of Mount St. Helens reinforces an appreciation for the power of nature and how such large-scale disturbances can shape the environment. Cowlitz County Tourism Bureau’s new website www.visitMtStHelens.com is your complete source for information. Four world-class visitor centers, each with a unique perspective, provide insight into the mountain, her history and lessons learned.

The ‘Mountain’ is open through the end of October, so when one of our beautiful, clear autumn days lands in your lap, be sure to schedule some time with our very own “awesome beauty”, Mt. St. Helens.

PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST GUIDELINES

• Photos of this month’s “Hidden Gem” must be taken by the individual who is submitting them; complete name and address included.
• Submitting a photo constitutes permission to reprint or use in any other marketing venues.
• Photos are to be submitted by Oct. 15th, electronically, including location of photo and date photographed to: editor@valleybugler.com

or mailed directly to:
Valley Bugler Photo Contest
705 Vandercook Way
Longview, WA 98632

THE PRIZE GALLERY:

The top 2 winners will be chosen by a panel of three judges and awarded publication of their photo in the next month’s issue of the Valley Bugler, and a $25 Gift Certificate to RUTHERGLEN MANSION.
MUST BE SUBMITTED BY OCTOBER 15TH